Injured players push boundaries on the slopes with the IPF Engage Programme
Members of the RFU Injured Players Foundation recently took to the slopes of Andorra as part of the IPF Engage programme.
The annual trip is part of the IPF’s Engage Programme, which aims to empower players to lead the lives they wish to lead.
The ski course was an opportunity for participants to have fun, build confidence and independence, and experience the camaraderie of a team environment once again. It was also a chance to share experiences, gain peer support, and, as one member put it, enjoy a “rugby tour – light!”
IPF Welfare Officer John Burgess said: “The week isn’t about skiing per se, it’s about getting out, doing something new, and pushing individuals’ own boundaries. It most definitely isn’t a holiday. We want players to get out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves, just as they would have done before they got hurt.
“If players can take something away from this week that helps them, that mindset, that determination, that resilience, that’s what the IPF is about, helping people live their best possible lives.”
For Troye, the trip marked a turning point.
He said: “Last year, I was in a very dark place, and I just saw this as a perfect opportunity. If I look at me now, compared to where I was at the beginning of this trip, it’s like chalk and cheese. It’s just sad it has to come to an end.
“Being disabled, there are restrictions in life. You can go somewhere where you can’t get into a building, or you can’t push up a hill, but when you’re in a ski, whether that’s in a sit ski or on skis, you’re doing exactly what everyone else is doing. Ultimately, I felt free.”
The clients had expert guides and adjustable equipment, allowing them to tailor the experience to their individual needs.
The week also provided a valuable space for conversation and connection and rekindled the spirit of teamwork that many participants have missed since they stopped playing.
Tamara said: “It’s been a really nice environment where you can have one-to-one conversations. Some people are coming from times in their lives which are quite tough right now, and it’s really nice to be able to listen and share techniques and tips for getting through different things.”
The RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) is England Rugby’s official charity. It supports players at any level of the game who have sustained a life-changing injury such as a catastrophic spinal cord or acute, severe traumatic brain injury while playing rugby union in England. Thankfully, these types of injury remain extremely rare in rugby, but if they do happen, IPF support is available to help a player and family for life if needed.
Find out more about the charity at the IPF website or watch this video to learn more about the IPF Engage Programme.
